Breast augmentation has come a long way over the past couple of decades.
With a growing interest in the cosmetic and reconstructive field in general, this has led to much more advanced techniques being introduced.
Such innovation has resulted in quicker non-invasive surgeries, faster recovery times, and great patient satisfaction.
So what exactly has changed since breast augmentation techniques were introduced in the late sixties?
The growing demand for breast augmentation meant more surgeons were choosing to specialize in cosmetic surgery, particularly breast augmentation.
This led to more bright minds devising better procedures. More research was performed, and better training was delivered. The field started to get more complex, and more best practices were shared amongst surgeons. This all led to better solutions for patients out there.
Implants used to be just saline, and there wasn’t much choice. However, as the field grew in popularity, this led to different implants being developed, such as silicone implants that felt much more like natural breast tissue. Every year, more innovative implants are released that are more durable, long-lasting, and affordable. The latest implants on the market now utilize a cohesive gel that’s less prone to leakage should an accidental rupture happen.
As more patients with a greater variety of body types looked for breast augmentation, this meant that common augmentation procedures such as incisions under the breast fold were no longer the best method. Surgeons began to look for other ways such as incisions for implants through the armpit. The desire for less scarring also led to innovative procedures being developed to minimize the appearance of augmented breasts.
Supporting the advancement of techniques is the desire for more patients to use breast augmentation to subtly enhance their breast volume and fix any asymmetries. This was a departure from the old ways of augmented breasts looking very much ‘fake’. Because of this, you’ll find more and more surgeons performing augmentations that can achieve a very natural look.
The stigma associated with breast augmentation has faded away. This means it’s more readily accepted by communities and is now one of the most popular cosmetic procedures carried out in the US.
Whether it’s purely for cosmetic reasons or reconstructive in nature, breast augmentation is now prevalent in society and is viewed as a healthy way to tackle confidence issues.
With less invasive surgeries comes the added benefit of faster recoveries. Though this varies depending on where the implant is placed and the size of the implant, recovery times have generally been reduced to a few days post-operation. Many patients only take four or five days off before returning back to regular life.